2006Kumu - Estonian Art Museum - Set

KUMU, the Estonian Art Museum, is a modern museum combining a permanent historical display of Estonian art with a gallery of modern works. KUMU exhibits and preserves old art and is the hotbed of new art. An important place in KUMU belongs to educational programs both for young people and grown-ups, with film shows, plays, concerts and conferences staged in its auditorium. KUMU has a library, café and restaurant. KUMU’s total of seven floors have a general floor area of 23,900 square meters. The exhibition spaces and service premises are intended for a total of 400 people. The collection of the Estonian Art Museum has 56,000 works of art, of which nearly 50,000 will be moved to KUMU. KUMU’s premises are fully up to international standards and make it possible for the first time to bring to Estonia the most valuable works of classical art. KUMU is intended for many different people – art experts as well as those who want to spend their free time in a pleasant way. For the first time during its nearly century-long history the Estonian Art Museum has received a building specially built for Estonian art. Art now lives in it. The architect of the 45 million euro building is Pekka Vapaavuori (Finland), who won an international competiton for its design organized in 1993–94. Construction started in 2002 and the museum will be opened to the public in February 2006.